If I knew things were going to work out this way I would have tried to get more tickets to donate back to the STEP program. Unfortunately, the only tickets I will be receiving are going to be used by my husband and I... makes me feel bad for even having tickets in the first place *sigh*

"One good thing about music: When it hits you - you feel no pain" - Bob Marley

Brianna_Beauty413 wrote:If I knew things were going to work out this way I would have tried to get more tickets to donate back to the STEP program. Unfortunately, the only tickets I will be receiving are going to be used by my husband and I... makes me feel bad for even having tickets in the first place *sigh*

I appreciate your honesty in sharing your emotions throughout the process Brianna. It's good to see that as a newbie (hell, i'm a newbie too- last year was my first burn) you are so considerate of others who are trying to go. That being said, you buying more tickets than you need to donate them back to the STEP program wouldn't have helped, as that would simply have increased others' reliance on the STEP system by taking out more tickets from the lottery. Just wanted to point that out so you don't feel so hard on yourself.

I truly hope the STEP system and the next open sale of 10,000 tickets will alleviate a lot of people's troubles and renew the Burning Man spirit that this event is all about. I'd hate to see things ruined simply because we have to deal with the new reality of a sold out event. It was bound to happen at some point, but our community is stronger than this. All successful events and communities have to overcome harsh realities such as this and i hope that, as cliche as it sounds, it only makes us stronger.

Brianna_Beauty413 wrote:makes me feel bad for even having tickets in the first place *sigh*

I am feeling similarly; no matter how badly I want to go, I am imagining someone who wants it more. I am feeling the "gifting" urge, but I also don't want to screw over one of my friends in case they don't win, because they have been planning on going as well. Urgh.

It is both good and bad that the STEP program is so soon; good that resell can happen immediately, but the many months between now and when people finally get their shit together (or not) means that a lot of people will be waiting til others' plans fall apart. This strategy works OK if you live fairly nearby (~1 or 2 days' drive) but for others, last-minute travel gets more and more pricey.

We will see. Good luck to everyone. I am nervous about the STEP program, but we shouldn't worry until AFTER things go wrong!

Does the ORG or anyone really believe that if somebody has an extra ticket that they will sell it back to the STEP system for face value? Not gonna happen, they will sell it for way over the face value and put that money in their pocket. DUH.

I have a feeling any unwanted tickets will go to the friends/family of those that did get extras... I would think we all have friends that are in need at this point. It seems the shortage within our camp alone is staggering.

Last year plenty of people sold tickets at or below face value--even after the sell out. I think the llc has a good basis for believing that many people will not ask for more. Of course, things are up in the air right now, but I suspect that by sometime in March it will become apparent that expecting a lot of extra money for the ticket you are selling is a pipe dream.

The Lady with a Lamprey

"The powerful are exploiting people, art and ideas, and this leads to us plebes debating how to best ration ice.Man, no wonder they always win....." Lonesomebri

There's so much bitterness over everything that I wonder if there will be stigma attached to participating in STEP with the implication being that only hoarders/hedgers are putting up tickets into STEP.

I don't have a huge network of friends who go to Burning Man, but I do know that I will be networking locally to develop some more relationships.

TT120 wrote:Does the ORG or anyone really believe that if somebody has an extra ticket that they will sell it back to the STEP system for face value? Not gonna happen, they will sell it for way over the face value and put that money in their pocket. DUH.

if people were going to have their tickets in-hand in 2 weeks (or even a month), i could see this. but most people will not buy a ticket without some guarantee that the seller has it in-hand. i think the prospect of getting (most of) your money back right away for extra tickets - instead of waiting until june, taking pictures, posting them on craigslist, ebay, etc. - will be attractive to some people who have more tickets than they need.

It seems like it will depend on location...I for one live 4 hours from Black Rock in a very Burny community, so IF I had an extra I would check around the community first.

HOWEVER, I would also be tempted to just sell it back to STEP to avoid credit card interest n stuff like that....Every penny counts for me so it might be too much of a hassle to hold onto someones ticket. They would have to pay me right now and it would have to be someone I am in fairly close contact with.

I would hope that anyone approached to buy an over face value ticket would report the seller as a scalper. Long time burner or newbie. I don't care if they run the most awesome of all theme camps or art projects. A scalper is a scalper.

pink wrote:I would hope that anyone approached to buy an over face value ticket would report the seller as a scalper. Long time burner or newbie. I don't care if they run the most awesome of all theme camps or art projects. A scalper is a scalper.

However that is not illegal in Nevada. Perfectly legal activity so report to whom? Or is it who ?

When the only tool you got is a hammer, every problem looks like a hippie.

Mmmmmm I love the smell of Burning Man - Token

Getting overly dramatic about the ticket sale process is so 2012. - Maladroit

People do not have due consideration to donate early, and I fear that even if the STEP program goes live and works as intended on February 22, people won't know if they need the extra tickets until much much later.

Currently I know of at least 6 in my camp, myself included, who does not have a ticket.

The STEP program relies on there being a lot of extra tickets out there. I don't believe there will be that many because I don't think an overwhelming amount people applied for more tickets than they needed. Sure, some did get more than they needed and there will be some tickets around here and there but not that many. Most "extra" tickets are going to go to a campmate that didn't get one in the lottery, STEP wont be involved. I think the demand just far exceeded the supply and everyone just wants to go to the party.

I applied for one ticket during the pre-sale...and got it. Im very happy but there is one obstacle that still puts me hanging in the balance of happenstance......

My car

I only have this one car. It needs a few repairs and possibly new tires before I head Home. Im a freelancer so my income is unpredictable. So, that simple repair and tires that might be a drop in the buckeet to the gainfully employed, is aa big hurdle for me.

So, if my car just isnt playa ready, I wont have any choice but to toss in the towel and thus re-purpose my ticket. I will DEFINITELY be submitting to the STEP program if this is indeed not my year to return to playa (So far, its been almost 3 years since I been able to go)